About

Dr. John Cain

My story has had two central professional emphases. During the first half of life my focus was on corporate success. I received a B.A. (Economics, Denison University) and an MBA (University of Michigan). I rose to the level of officer and vice president of marketing for a publicly-traded wireless services company. Along the way I experienced large corporate restructurings and layoffs, and found myself scrambling to find a job on more than one occasion. My family moved across the country twice during this adventure. Toward the end of these chapters I ran my own business consulting firm while simultaneously funding and managing a tech-oriented startup for which I was awarded a United States patent.

My Next Chapter

Now squarely in the second half of life I’ve turned my focus toward supporting others. I have worked in higher education doing career counseling for both traditional aged students and working adults. I simultaneously invested in my love of research and learning by returning to the classroom to earn my doctorate degree in adult education (University of Oklahoma). My dissertation research addressed the identity and transformation struggles of 10 women over the age of 50 who were attempting to reinvent themselves as they prepared for a new stage of life.

I founded NextChapters Consulting to offer services that assist people as they attempt to more fully understand where they have come from, who they are today, and what they wish to contribute and accomplish as they move along their own unique life’s path. Whatever path you choose to take, I wish you all the best.

Dr. John Cain

“John is a born consultant. His intuition is deep and his empathy very reassuring. With him, one discovers parts of one’s personality that was unknown and he is there to help us make this journey of discovery.”

Dr. Nathalie P

“I had the great pleasure of working with John over multiple sessions. NextChapters goes FAR beyond want I have experienced or would expect. Not only did he help me clarify what I was looking for in my career, but it was truly a wonderful experience just in general! I always looked forward to our sessions and left feeling inspired. I loved getting to participate in the innovative and effective assessment activities that NextChapters offers. They not only helped me focus on what I love in my career but also helped bring more awareness to other aspects of my life.”

Kerri S

“John’s questions and approach to story analysis really helped me probe deeper into my life. One of the images we discussed became a metaphor for where I was stuck, and one of the stories he evoked helped me clearly understand my current concerns and their implications for the future. The written report he provided was very useful and I still refer to it many months later. John is very easy to work with and I really appreciate the long-term benefits I derived from partnering with him.”

Jana L

“When I consulted with Dr. John Cain at NextChapters, he suggested that I take the Luscher Color Test so that I might gain a deeper understanding of some of the recurrent themes in my life that I might not be aware of. The test was easy to take and in a short period of time, my results were ready. It was as if someone had been reading my mail! The findings were accurate and spot on! With John’s help, we were able to make better sense of my life story by pinpointing some underlying themes. I left with a greater appreciation and understanding of my life and its lessons.”

Dr. David L